True freshman Malik Washington threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, and the defense racked up six interceptions and Maryland steamrolled Florida Atlantic 39-7 on Saturday in College Park, Md.
Washington got the start after a three-man quarterback competition in fall camp and settled in after an uneven first quarter. The Terrapins (1-0) scored 26 points in the second quarter, including all three of Washington’s TD passes. He completed 27 of 43 attempts without a turnover.
Caden Veltkamp went 30-of-49 passing for 228 yards and a touchdown for Florida Atlantic (0-1), but he was intercepted four times — once in every quarter.
Maryland linebacker Daniel Wingate had a pick-6 to go with a team-high 10 tackles. Dontay Joyner, Lavain Scruggs and La’khi Roland also picked off Veltkamp.
FAU backup QB Zach Gibson didn’t fare much better in the fourth quarter, as Braydon Lee and Ricardo Cooper Jr. came away with picks. It was the most interceptions in a game by the Terrapins’ defense since 1998.
The Maryland defense committed five penalties on FAU’s opening drive. Veltkamp led the Owls to the 4-yard line but was stuffed on a fourth-and-goal rush attempt.
The first interception resulted in the first points of the game. Veltkamp was hit as he threw and the ball floated right to Wingate, who enjoyed 20 yards of daylight to the end zone.
Veltkamp made up for it by connecting with Asaad Waseem on a 27-yard touchdown toss with about five minutes left in the first for a 7-7 tie.
After Sean O’Haire put Maryland ahead 10-7 early in the second with a 49-yard field goal, Sidney Stewart broke through the FAU line and brought Veltkamp down in his own end zone to make it 12-7.
The Terrapins’ offense snapped into gear, scoring touchdowns on the next three drives for a 33-7 halftime lead. Washington found a wide-open Shaleak Knotts, then Kaleb Webb on the following drive, both from 29 yards out. A two-minute drill ended with tight end Dorian Fleming diving in for a 9-yard touchdown.
O’Haire added 24- and 42-yard field goals during the third quarter.
Both Khristian Martin and Justyn Martin took snaps at quarterback for Maryland in the final 15-plus minutes of the game. Justyn Martin was injured and carried off the field after being tackled on a QB keeper.
Easton Messer caught 15 passes for 87 yards for FAU.
